University of Cincinnati cop Ray Tensing charged with murder in driver’s killing

Share this:

This is an archived article and the information in the article may be outdated. Please look at the time stamp on the story to see when it was last updated.

CINCINNATI — Here are the latest developments in the investigation of the July 19 fatal shooting of a motorist after a traffic stop by a University of Cincinnati police officer (all times local):

5:20 p.m.

Authorities say the University of Cincinnati police officer indicted on a murder charge in the shooting of a motorist will be jailed overnight.

Hamilton County sheriff’s spokesman Michael Robison says 25-year-old Ray Tensing turned himself in at the county justice center Wednesday afternoon. He will be held in jail until his Thursday morning court appearance.

The sheriff’s office released his booking photo, and Robison said Tensing would be “processed like any other inmate facing murder charges.” That includes medical and security assessments.

He said it was likely Tensing would be isolated in his own cell because of the charges.

The university says Tensing has been fired.

___

4:40 p.m.

Ohio’s governor has expressed his condolences for the family of a motorist killed at a traffic stop, along with his confidence in the justice system.

Gov. John Kasich’s spokesman, Rob Nichols, issued a statement after the Hamilton County prosecutor announced the murder indictment against University of Cincinnati police officer Ray Tensing in the July 19 shooting of Samuel DuBose.

Nichols says Kasich is confident that justice would be served in the case.

Before the indictment was announced, Kasich told reporters at the opening of the Ohio State Fair he was concerned about the city of Cincinnati but added: “We’re prepared. We’re prepared as we can be.”

___

3:30 p.m.

Cincinnati Mayor John Cranley is urging residents to react peacefully to the murder indictment of a University of Cincinnati police officer in the fatal shooting of a motorist.

Cranley says the city police department is prepared to handle any situation that might come up in the aftermath of the murder indictment Wednesday against Officer Ray Tensing. Tensing is accused of killing 43-year-old Samuel DuBose during a traffic stop over a missing front license plate July 19.

Cranley says city police officers must respect the rights of citizens to protest publicly.

UC President Santa Ono says the university police department is reviewing policies and will make necessary changes, including on hiring policies and in the training of officers.

___

3:30 p.m.

The University of Cincinnati says it has fired Officer Ray Tensing after his indictment on a murder charge in the fatal shooting of a motorist during a traffic stop.

A UC spokeswoman says Tensing’s employment was terminated Wednesday.

Tensing turned himself in Wednesday afternoon at the Hamilton County Justice Center in Cincinnati and was processed on charges of murder and voluntary manslaughter in the traffic stop slaying July 19 of Samuel DuBose.

Court records show he is due to appear in court Thursday morning.

His attorney didn’t immediately return phone messages Wednesday. According to a police report, Tensing said he was dragged by the car and forced to shoot. The Hamilton County prosecutor dismissed that claim, saying the officer fell backward after he shot DuBose in the head.

___

2:20 p.m.

The sister of a motorist fatally shot by a University of Cincinnati officer during a traffic stop says the family was certain the police video of what happened would vindicate her brother.

Terina Allen says the video helped make sure her brother, Samuel DuBose, isn’t viewed as a stereotype or as what she describes as another “thug in the neighborhood.” She says he had no gun, didn’t harm the officer and didn’t deserve to be shot July 19.

She says she considers the charges announced Wednesday against the officer to be a step toward getting justice for DuBose.

Allen says she sympathizes with other families in police-shooting cases that don’t have the benefit of such evidence, and she plans to advocate for broader use of police video cameras.

___

2 p.m.

An attorney for the family of the black motorist shot to death during a traffic stop called for a “peaceful and nonaggressive” response from the community after the white officer was indicted on murder charges.

Mark O’Mara spoke Wednesday soon after a prosecutor announced charges against University of Cincinnati Officer Ray Tensing in the shooting of 43-year-old Samuel DuBose on July 19.

O’Mara said DuBose’s family wants a completely peaceful reaction in the community because “Sam was a peaceful person.”

O’Mara thanked the Hamilton County Prosecutor’s office for handling the matter quickly.

___

1 p.m.

A University of Cincinnati police officer who shot a motorist during a traffic stop over a missing front license plate has been indicted on murder charges.

Hamilton County’s prosecutor says Wednesday that the grand jury indicted Officer Ray Tensing on a charge of murder in the shooting of 43-year-old Samuel DuBose.

Prosecutor Joe Deters says Tensing “purposely killed him” and “should never have been a police officer.” Deters says he thinks Tensing lost his temper.

Tensing’s attorney had said he wouldn’t be surprised if his client were indicted given the political climate.

According to a police report, Tensing said he was dragged by the car and forced to shoot.

___

12:20 p.m.

Cincinnati city leaders are planning to hold a news conference after a county prosecutor discusses developments in his investigation of the fatal shooting of a motorist by a University of Cincinnati police officer.

A city spokesman says Mayor John Cranley, City Manager Harry Black and city Police Chief Jeffrey Blackwell will comment at City Hall at 2 p.m. Wednesday after Hamilton County Prosecutor Joe Deters’ (DEE’-turs) news conference.

Motorist Samuel DuBose died July 19 after he was pulled over for a missing front license plate. Officer Ray Tensing has said he was dragged by DuBose’s car and forced to shoot him.

The University of Cincinnati says it is closing its main campus in anticipation of grand jury action in the case. Tensing’s lawyer says he thinks an indictment is likely.

___

11:50 a.m.

The attorney for a University of Cincinnati police officer who fatally shot a man he stopped for a missing front license plate says he expects it is likely his client may be indicted.

Officer Ray Tensing’s attorney said Wednesday that he thinks a grand jury indictment is likely “given the political climate” and comments by city officials. But attorney Stewart Mathews says given the evidence he’s seen, he doesn’t believe there should be an indictment.

DuBose’s July 19 death came amid months of national scrutiny of police dealings with African-Americans, especially those killed by officers. DuBose was black; the officer is white. Authorities haven’t indicated whether race is a part of the investigation.

___

11:35 a.m.

A prosecutor’s office now says a University of Cincinnati officer’s body-camera video of the fatal traffic stop of a motorist will be released Wednesday, not Thursday.

The office of Hamilton County Prosecutor Joe Deters (DEE’-turs) said earlier Wednesday morning that the video related to the officer’s July 19 shooting of 43-year-old Samuel DuBose would be released Thursday. Less than an hour later, prosecutor’s spokeswoman Julie Wilson said in an email that it would be released Wednesday. There was no immediate explanation for the change in plans.

News organizations including The Associated Press had sued Deters seeking its release under Ohio open records law. DuBose’s family had also been pushing for its release.

Deters had refused to release body-cam footage until his investigation was completed. He plans to discuss the investigation Wednesday afternoon.

___

11:10 a.m.

A prosecutor’s office says a University of Cincinnati officer’s body-camera video of the fatal traffic stop of a motorist will be released Thursday.

The office of Hamilton County Prosecutor Joe Deters (DEE’-turs) said Wednesday that the video related to the officer’s July 19 shooting of 43-year-old Samuel DuBose will be released.

News organizations including The Associated Press had sued Deters seeking its release under Ohio open records law. DuBose’s family had also been pushing for its release.

Deters had refused to release body-cam footage until his investigation was completed. He plans to discuss the investigation Wednesday afternoon.

___

11 a.m.

A prosecutor plans to discuss developments in the investigation of the fatal shooting of a motorist pulled over by a University of Cincinnati police officer for having a missing front license plate.

A spokeswoman for Hamilton County Prosecutor Joe Deters (DEE’-turs) declined to comment further before the 1 p.m. news conference. The University of Cincinnati says it is closing its main campus in anticipation of grand jury action in the case.

UC President Santa Ono and Mayor John Cranley were among those paying respects Tuesday at funeral services for 43-year-old Samuel DuBose.

DuBose’s July 19 death came amid months of national scrutiny of police dealings with African-Americans, especially those killed by officers. DuBose was black; officer Ray Tensing is white.

Authorities haven’t indicated whether race is part of their investigation.